Page 54 of Go Deep

Chapter 22

Vince

Istare at the roster of names in front of me. The black print blurs, names swim around on the white paper. I clench my fists, pressing them to my temples.

Those lies I spouted off to Gabe tasted like sour milk on my tongue. I squeeze my eyes shut, but it doesn’t do a damn thing to block out the rejection in his eyes when he confronted me in the hallway. It doesn’t blunt the caustic sting of his words and the anger in his voice.

And worse, it doesn’t soothe the pain that grips my heart now, knowing that the guy I want is one I can never have unless I want to risk everything good in my life.

How good is it really, knowing you can’t be true to yourself?

It’s the nagging question that keeps gnawing on my brain.

How much better could it be if you were?

A strong hand claps me on the shoulder and I turn my head toward the motherfucker interrupting my thought.

Bob Sinclair.

Should have known he’d be here to make some moreempty threats, knowing I can’t very well walk out on announcing the game. That gives him my ear for the next three hours.

Fuck my life.

His lips pull into a tight smile. “Vince, can I have a word?”

“Bob, I need to go through some more stats. Kickoff is in?—”

“This won’t take long. I just wanted to catch up with you on some plans I’ve made since we last spoke.”

I swallow a sigh and stand up from the plush leather chair, a sidelong glance at the empty one next to me. Will it be empty at game time, too?

Gabe still hasn’t come inside yet.

My gut clenches.

Will he? Or is he backing out because of me?

I walk toward an empty corner of the booth with Bob in tow while the sound check crew works to make sure all of the equipment is working before the teams take the field. After finding the most private area, I stop and turn to look at Bob. Lifting an eyebrow, I fold my arms over my chest. “Your plans don’t really concern me anymore, Bob. I’ll write you a check and you can execute all the strategies you want without my involvement.”

“That’s an interesting choice of words, Vince.”

His smug smile taunts me. I want to punch a fist through his throat.

“You say ‘without my involvement,’ but that’s why I’m here. I don’t accept your offer. Our contract is still in place, and I don’t want to cash out on my investment yet.”

“I’m sure I can find a loophole that will terminate it.” Lies. My contracts are usually tighter than a million virgins, thanks to the cash I fork out to my lawyers.

“You can try. But before you go through the effort, I want to explain my plans. See if you might have a change of heart.”

“I won’t.” I sneak a look toward the empty doorway and my heart dips in my chest. Where is he?

“Don’t be so quick to assume.” His grin widens. “My plan is to take all of your biggest clients to a new firm. You’ll be left with a pittance compared to the windfall you’re used to making.”

“They won’t leave. I’ve made my clients plenty, even in tough financial times. There’s nothing you could say to get them to leave.”

“I think you’re wrong.” He reaches into his jacket pocket, pulls out a folded stack of papers, and shakes it in front of me. “I’ve already gotten their consent. They know I’m the money behind your operation, and without me, they’re concerned about your ability to continue getting their expected returns.”

“Yeah, but I’m the brains behind the operation.”

---